Publications by authors named "Mario Vassallo"

Article Synopsis
  • * We found that there were 173 separate introductions of the virus into Malta from different parts of the world.
  • * By combining epidemiological data with phylodynamic analysis, our research highlights how understanding these patterns can support effective public health strategies to manage COVID-19 transmission.
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The purpose of this study was to predict Paralympian swimmers' happiness as a result of winning 2016 Paralympic medals. Understanding potential antecedents of athletes' happiness has theoretical and practical value. Medal winners (N = 138) had their facial expressions rated for happiness at the race finish.

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Background: Fibrinogen is produced in the liver and tends to be reduced in liver cirrhosis. Quantitative and qualitative tests exist to measure fibrinogen. We aimed to validate the functional fibrinogen thromboelastography assay (FF-TEG) and propose a new model to estimate fibrinogen levels via the Clauss method (Clauss) using data from a prothrombin time-derived fibrinogen assay (PT-Fg) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

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Background And Aims: There is limited data on the risk of developing diarrhoea in travelling patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We analysed the rate of developing diarrhoea among travellers suffering from IBD and their healthy controls.

Methods: We performed a retrospective case-controlled study among 78 patients with IBD and their healthy travelling companion controls, thus matching both groups to the same environmental conditions.

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A young lady with a long history of recurrent infections was referred to the gastroenterology department by an infectious disease consultant because of a long history of profuse diarrhoea. A nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test performed in her mid-teens had shown zero reduction of the dye. The clinical, biochemical, radiological and endoscopic findings were suggestive of possible underlying Crohn's disease.

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A 30-year-old male suffered from acute abdomen following duodenal biopsy taken at esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Exploratory laparotomy showed a large retroperitoneal hematoma arising from the second part of the duodenum that was then treated conservatively. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of extensive retroperitoneal hematoma following EGD.

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Background: The primary aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in Malta in a well-defined population during a 13-year study period.

Methods: Diagnostic criteria for CD and UC were defined. A diagnosis of IBD was obtained from the histopathology reports at St.

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